Venereal Disease Control in New York City

THE recent downward trends in the inci- dence and prevalence of venereal disease in New York City have been observed also in other parts of the United States (1-3).Con- firmatory evidence from the autopsy table is provided by Bell (4), who found marked de- clines in mortality due to syphilis in the past two decades.Improved methods of diagnosis, treatment, public health education, and administrative control have undoubtedly contributed to this reduction of the venereal disease problem.Previous reports (5-9) have described in de- tail the character of the New York City venereal disease control program and have presented statistical data on its progress.The present report completes this information through 1954, thus providing a continuing record from 1938. Early Control ActivitiesThe historical background of the present venereal disease control program in New York City may be of interest.The first action in dealing witlh the venereal diseases as a public health problem in the city was initiated by